Forget roundabouts, try an elevated road for bayfront: Letters to the editor

Saturday

Aug 11, 2018 at 2:00 AM

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is having a love affair with traffic circles, and has placed feelers about installing two involving the east side access road at East 12th Street and another somewhere on the bayfront.

This from the government agency that created the notorious intersection with West 26th Street and Interstate 79 and the clogged Bayfront Parkway, which is not drivable for several hours every day due to traffic jams.

Traffic circles, or roundabouts as they are known in their European birthplace, have become the darling of short-sighted traffic engineers and — like measles — are breaking out all over the place. Engineers tell us they improve safety by a "factor of four," but studies at Kansas University do not support that assertion. One researcher called the traffic circles "crash magnets" and said when they involved two or more lanes at entry, the likelihood of accidents is enhanced.

Roundabouts supposedly prevent traffic stops and are more eco-friendly. A roundabout in Colorado is actually causing traffic jams. Driver timidity, bravery and daredevil spirit all contribute to the delays. In Europe, cars are smaller and driver views are less restricted. We live in a land of SUVs, vans and semis. The study looked at something called "lateral G-force" where a truck tipped over at 16 mph because of the growing force in a continual radius.

Consider East 12th Street at the Bayfront Connector, where two lanes of traffic approach from four different directions. Egad!

The Bayfront Parkway needs to be four lanes with a two-lane facility access road to its north. The two-lane road should stretch from Holland to Cascade streets. State Street and the Bayfront Parkway should be on different elevations with access ramps for turning.

That will work and should reduce accidents greatly.

— Mark Guy Findlay, Harborcreek Township

So-called allies, migrants

take advantage of U.S.

When I read letters like the one sent by Mary Wier I feel sorry for that person because of her incorrect views. True, many people are fleeing countries where they haven't had the chances we have. So what? It's not our fault their governments take advantage of them. It's not our responsibility to take them in.

People who enter our country illegally are lawbreakers and their kids are not "ripped" from their arms by the Border Patrol. That's fake news. Many of the children are not even the kids of those claiming to be their parents. We have a process for letting migrants seek asylum here. Adhere to it. Letting people pour into the country with no vetting is illegal and stupid. I and others believe laws should be obeyed and are tired of wasting tax dollars protecting illegal aliens.

As for President Donald Trump insulting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and others in the G-7, I say, "So what?" If these countries don't want fair trade or to pay their fair share for our protection, then they should be held responsible. I don't give a hoot if these so-called allies feel insulted. I'm insulted that we've been taken advantage of.

Slobber all over Rocket Man? Give me a break. Getting along with those who would do us harm is smart, including Vladimir Putin. Wier wants to take our country back from people who didn't vote for Trump's corrupt opponent. I guess she thought Trump's predecessor was a great American and did all he could to help the country. Talk about fairy tales!

Putin did not put anyone in the White House because if he could have, he would have been happier with socialist Bernie Sanders. Leftists and most mainstream media are intent on finding fault with Trump and never credit him for the good he's accomplished.

— Sam Nardo, Millcreek

It is time for Erie to get

serious about recycling

Thanks to Erie County and the Erie Downtown Partnership for providing recycling containers at the Blues & Jazz Festival. It's unconscionable that so many large events do not make provisions for recycling beverage containers.

At 8 Great Tuesdays it is minimal and usually done by tent sponsors, not the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority; Roar on the Shore — zero bins or bags available for the thousands of cans and plastic bottles consumed. It appears that none of the downtown pubs, taverns and eateries recycle. How ridiculous is that?

With all of the hype, excitement and innovative ideas being cultivated for our fair city, when will we stop the complacency and start acting green? For our environment, our community, our children, let's get serious about recycling. In the meantime, kudos to the partners of the Blues & Jazz Festival!

— Robin Scheppner, Millcreek

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